New Guinea impatiens plant named ‘SAKIMP021’

ABSTRACT

A New Guinea  Impatiens  plant particularly distinguished by having pink flowers, a strong root system, and vigorous plant growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri).

Variety denomination: ‘SAKIMP021’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of NewGuinea Impatiens, botanically known as Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri),and referred to by the variety name ‘SAKIMP021’. ‘SAKIMP021’ originatedfrom a hybridization between the female New Guinea Impatiens plant‘NG-02SM-1 3’ (unpatented) and the male New Guinea Impatiens plant‘EL-1A-1’ (unpatented) in Misato, Japan. The female parent plantresulted from a cross between I. platypetala and an I. hawkeri. The maleparent is of an unknown wild species.

In June 2005, the female parent plant ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ and the male parentplant ‘EL-1A-l’ were crossed and a population of F₁ plants was created.The F_(l) plants were evaluated in Misato, Japan in an open field trial.The criteria for plant selection included a pink flower color, strongroot system, and a vigorous plant growth habit. At the completion of thetrial, one single-plant selection was made based on the above criteriaand vegetatively propagated. From May 2006 to August 2006, the selectionwas evaluated in an open field in Misato, Japan. Shoot-tip cuttings ofthe variety were then shipped to Salinas, Calif., where the plants wereregenerated and reevaluated for stability of traits. The selectionsubsequently was named ‘SAKIMP021’ and found to have its uniquecharacteristics reproduced true to type in successive generations ofasexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Salinas, Calif.

-   -   1. Pink flower color;    -   2. Strong root system; and    -   3. Vigorous plant growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs whichshow the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of theplant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants thatare five months from propagation by terminal cutting in Salinas, Calif.,under greenhouse conditions.

FIG. 1 shows overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage.

FIG. 2 shows the mature inflorescence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘SAKIMP021’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inSalinas, Calif. The plant history was taken on plants grown for aboutfive months from propagation by terminal cuttings under greenhouseconditions. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S)., 4^(th) Edition(2001). Anatomic labels are from The Cambridge Illustrated Glossary ofBotanical Terms, by M. Hickey and C. King, Cambridge University Press.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Balsaminaceae.        -   Botanical.—Impatiens×hybrida (I. hawkeri).        -   Denomination.—‘SAKIMP021’.        -   Common name.—New Guinea Impatiens.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant            ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—The proprietary New Guinea Impatiens plant            ‘EL-1A-1’ (unpatented).-   Growth:    -   -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—The terminal 1.0 inches to            1.5 inches of an actively growing stem was excised. The            vegetative cuttings were propagated in five to six weeks.            The base of each cutting was dipped for one to two seconds            in a 1:9 solution of Dip 'N Grow (1 solution: 9 water) root            inducing solution immediately prior to sticking into the            cell trays. Cuttings were stuck into plastic cell trays            having ninety-eight cells, and containing a moistened peat            moss-based growing medium. The cuttings were misted with            water from overhead for ten seconds every thirty minutes            until sufficient roots were formed.        -   Environmental conditions for plant growth.—Rooted cuttings            were transplanted and grown in 6-inch plastic pots in a            glass greenhouse located in Salinas, Calif. Pots contained a            peat moss-based growing medium. Soluble fertilizer            containing 20% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 20% potassium            was applied once a day or every other day by overhead            irrigation. Plants were fertilized every two to three days,            two times in consecutive applications and then given one            clear water application. Pots were top-dressed with a dry,            slow release fertilizer containing 14% nitrogen, 14%            phosphorus, and 14% potassium. The typical average air            temperature was 24° C.-   Plant description:    -   -   Habit.—Vigorous.        -   Life cycle.—Tender perennial.        -   Height.—35.0 cm from soil line to top of foliage.        -   Spread.—60.0 cm.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 4 weeks.        -   Time to bloom from propagation.—6 to 8 weeks.        -   Flowering requirements.—Will flower so long as temperature            is above 5° C.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Plants have been observed as            continuously flowering in a temperature range of 5° C. to            36° C.; plants can withstand high heat and humidity.-   Branches:    -   -   Number.—3 main branches, 8 total branches.        -   Length.—Approximately 2.0 cm from soil line to first node;            approximately 6.0 cm from first node to second node;            approximately 30.0 cm total.        -   Diameter (main branch).—1.0 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple).-   Stems:    -   -   Length.—16.0 cm to 18.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.6 cm.        -   Internode length.—9.0 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) and RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple).        -   Stem description.—Strong; circular cross-section, smooth and            shiny.        -   Pubescence.—None.        -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 187A (Greyed-Purple).-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled with up to 5 leaves per node, opposite            if only 2 leaves at 1 node.        -   Length.—14.0 cm.        -   Width.—4.5 cm.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate, curled.        -   Margin.—Ciliate; also slightly serrate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Texture.—Dull; waxy.        -   Color.—Upper surface: Closest to RHS 137A (Green). Lower            surface: RHS 138A (Green).        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Pubescence.—Glabrous.        -   Variegation (both upper and lower surfaces).—Absent.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 138C (Green). Lower            surface: RHS 138D (Green).        -   Petioles.—Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Color: RHS 138D            (Green). Texture: Smooth, glabrous.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Shape.—Deltoid, longitudinal cross-section.        -   Length.—2.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 59C (Red-Purple) and RHS 143C (Green).        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Will flower as long as the temperature is            above 5° C.        -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower with spur.        -   Number of flowers per node.—1 to 3 flowers in bloom; about 4            to 6 flower buds per node.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—Approximately 14 in bloom.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—14 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.-   Peduncles:    -   -   Length.—4.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.        -   Color.—RHS 73B (Red-Purple).        -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.-   Corolla:    -   -   Shape.—Roughly circular with 5 radial petals.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm.        -   Depth.—1.0 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Shape.—Obcordate.        -   Length.—2.0 cm.        -   Width.—2.5 cm.        -   Apex.—Emarginate (cleaved).        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 73A (Red-Purple). Lower surface:            Closest to RHS 73B (Red-Purple). Eye zone: Closest to RHS            73A (Red-Purple).-   Spur:    -   -   Shape.—Tubular, curved downward.        -   Color.—Closest to RHS 73B (Red-Purple).        -   Length.—4.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.-   Sepals:    -   -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Number.—2.        -   Color.—RHS 139D (Green).        -   Length.—1.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.        -   Apex.—Caudate.        -   Base.—Subcordate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Form: Fused; split into 4 lobes. Number: Many.            Filament length: 0.5 cm. Filament color: RHS 73D            (Red-Purple). Anther length: 0.4 cm. Anther color: RHS 155A            (White). Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color: RHS 155D            (White). Pollen description: Powdery.        -   Pistil.—Number: 5. Stigma color: RHS 143A (Green). Style            color: RHS 143A (Green). Style length: 0.5 cm.        -   Ovary arrangement.—Parietal.        -   Ovary surface color.—RHS 143A (Green).-   Fruit and seed set: No seed set observed.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility has been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘SAKIMP021’ is similar to the female parent ‘NG-02SM-1 3’ and the maleparent ‘EL-1A-1’; however, there is a difference as listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP021’ and ParentalVarieties Male Parent Female Parent Characteristic ‘SAKIMP021’ ‘EL-1A-1’‘NG-02SM-1 3’ Flower color Pink Lilac Orange

‘SAKIMP021’ is similar to the commercial Impatiens variety ‘SAKIMP006’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,501); however, there are differences as listedin Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison of Characteristics between ‘SAKIMP021’ and‘SAKIMP006’ Characteristic ‘SAKIMP021’ ‘SAKIMP006’ Petal color, uppersurface RHS 73A RHS N74B (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple) Petal color, lowersurface Closest to RHS 73B RHS N74C (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple) with RHSN74A vein between petal lobes Petal color, eye zone Closest to RHS 73ARHS N74A (Red-Purple) (Red-Purple)

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of New Guinea Impatiens plant asshown and described herein.